I Corinthians 15:50-58

- "And finally there is the painful riddle of death, for
which no remedy at all has yet been found, nor probably
ever will be"
- that sums up very well the view of many people towards this
subject we've been studying
- "the painful riddle of death, for which no remedy at
all has been found, nor probably ever will be."

- that hopeless statement is from the pen of Sigmond Freud

- praise the Lord those words aren't true
- there is a remedy of death--and we've been studying it now
the past several Sunday evenings together

- we're talking about the Resurrection
- 1) the bodily resurrection of Savior that occurred three
days after He died for the sins of the world
- 2) the bodily resurrection of believers, which will take
place when our Lord returns for His church.

- I invite you to turn again to I Cor. 15 where we'll take
one more look at this important chapter of Scripture.
- So far in these studies we've talked about death
indirectly.
- We've talked about the future of our bodies (that’s what
the resurrections all about) and that of course assumes
death.

- but the verses we're going to look at tonight take this
subject "head on."
- Paul is saying that one of the best ways to test a person's
faith in the resurrection is to examine his/her view of
death.

- before we look specifically at these verses, I think
there's some things we need to say just to show how
important our subject is tonight.

Introduction:

1. Americans in our day and age are particularly unprepared
to handle the subject of death.

- I'm going to mention some of our current day practices
surrounding death and I want to saying clearly--I'm
not criticizing these practices per say, but we need
to see that these practices are probably making it
more difficult for us to handle death.

a. improved medical care.

- Now you might say, "What's wrong with improved
medical care?" There is a whole area of medical
ethics that is involved in this discussion that I'm
not going to delve into tonight.
- I would like to talk about "heroic measures" a
little later on in the measures."

- the point here is - At the turn of the century,
practically every young adult had lived through the
death of at least one sibbling or close relative."

- that’s not true anymore today. Probably a number of folks
here tonight would say that they haven't gone through the
death of someone close to them.
- my point is - that leaves many unprepared because they've
never really had to personally face the issue.

b) Purposed detachment during the death process.
- now again, I'm not criticizing these practices per say,
but just think with me for a minute on this.
- at the turn of the century, many people died at home,
and the family support system was right there.

- now I'm not arguing that we go back to that, but many
folks have gone into the ditch on the other side.
- they find all kinds of reasons not to visit friends
and family members who are dying in the hospital.
- they lie to the children about the whole process and
say that grandpa is going on a "lone trip."

- there's a purposed detachment that results in folks
being unprepared to handle this subject.

c) Purposed detachment during the mourning process.
- many people here can probably remember when a funeral
was conducted at home.
- it was perfectly natural for the body to be kept in the
parlor of the family's until the burial.
- now again, I'm not arguing that we go back to that.

- but look what's often lost because we've changed.
- Family members don't have the opportunity to minister
to one another in their normal environment during
this critical time.
- what's especially bad is that many have gone way over
to the other ditch where they don't take time to
visit at the funeral home or attend the memorial
service.

- if you attend funerals today, you know they are very
poorly attended compared to the past.

- Now, I'm not trying to strike up a debate about changing
our memorial service procedures
- my point is that we as Americans today are less and
less prepared to handle the subject of death.

- in fact, you might be here tonight uncomfortable about the
fact that we're discussing it so directly.
- that's bad for a number of reasons but let me ask you to
hold your hand in I Cor. 15 and turn back to Eccles. 7:2.
- this is a very unusual verse of Scripture that puts this
topic in perspective.

- READ Eccles. 7:2 (develop)

2. Learning biblical truth about death makes us better
prepared to handle life.

- another thing we need to say in an introductory way is
that:

3. We must avoid two extremes concerning this subject:

a. Believers who have a "stoical approach" to death.

- We're not talking about believers becoming insensitive
to the real struggles involved in this subject.
- we're not talking about being "invincible towers of
strength."

- Paul said in I Thess. 4:13 that we shouldn't "sorrow as
others who have no hope," but there's still plenty
of sorrow.
- Job called death the "king of terrors." (I'm going to
ask you in a minute why death has that reputation.)

- I want you to know that I have prayed specifically
about not coming off insensitive and uncaring the
presentation of these verses.

- the other extreme:

b. Believers who grieve like the unbelieving world.

- yes we sorrow, but not like those who have "no hope."

- The Bible is filled with instruction on this subject
and there ought to be a marked difference between a
believer's approach this subject and that of an
unbeliever.

- the Psalmist said - "Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of His saints." (Psalm 116:15)
- Paul said - "For to me to live is Christ, and to die
is gain."

- one last thing I'd like us to do before moving into these
verses is to interact with this question:

4. Job referred to death as the "king of terrors." What
characteristics of death give it that "reputation?"

- with those thoughts in mind, let's move into our verses for
tonight, I Cor. 15:50-58. (READ)

- in these verses, Paul gives us three primary truths about
the resurrection:

I. The Resurrection Involves A Transformation

- one of the main ideas we need to factor into this
discussion of death and dying is that:

A. Flesh and blood (our physical bodies) are ill-suited
for heaven.

- now we're not saying that the physical body is evil.
- there's nothing intrinsically wrong or intrinsically
sinful about our bodies.

- but it is ill-suited for our eternal futures.

- it works out fine here on earth--but it won't fit
what God has intended for us in heaven,
- "flesh and blood" cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

- now we won't be able to benefit from this point unless we
have the right view of our bodies.
- I don't want to go "overboard" here--we have to care for
our bodies and be good stewards of our bodies.

- but we've got to be sure we're not overemphasizing the
importance of our physical bodies.

- I think a good picture of what Paul's talking about here
tonight is the person who's getting ready to go to a
formal dinner.
- he's been looking forward to this for weeks
- the menu includes prime rib, baked potatoes, banana
cream pie
- a lot of his favorite friends are going to be there
- its going to be great

- but he's been working outside all day and his clothes are
dirty and he needs to get a shower and get his formal
clothes on.
- now there would be something wrong with him if you went in
his room a few minutes before the dinner's to start and he
hasn't even started showering yet.
- he's over in the corner, refusing to change, saying:
"My clothes, my beautiful work clothes"
"They've served me so well all day--I just can't
stand to part with them"

- you'd say - "what's wrong with you"
- we're talking steak, banana cream pie, all your friends
- get you good clothes on
- sure your work clothes served you well while you were
working -- but THEY'RE ILL SUITED FOR THE BANQUET

- that's what Paul is saying about our physical bodies
- they work great on earth--but they're ill-suited for heaven

- that ought to balance off the terror of death
- death is necessary so we get some new clothes on--so we get
the body our Lord has designed for us for life in heaven.

- we need to recognize that that’s not going to come easily,
because we live in a world that places so much emphasis on
the body.
- Isn't that true?

- Who's the most popular girl in school?
- is it the one who's kindest to the other students?
- the one who has the most respect for her parents
and teachers?
- is it the one who's got the best character?

- no, the emphasis is on looks.

- what about for the guys?
- is it the guy who has the best grades?
- the one who loves God the most?
- the one's who's inner man is most like Christ?

- no, it's the one who can slam the basketball the hardest.
- the one who's got the biggest muscles.
- the one who's got the best tan.

- that whole mentality can rub off on us.
- and pretty soon we're standing in Wal-Mart buying
shampoo saying "I use "preference by Loreal--cuz I'm
worth it."
(I use Shauve - $2 for a 50 gallon drum - cuz I'm cheap)

- people who have spent their whole lives just emphasizing
their physical bodies are going to have a tremendous time with death.

- Paul says - we need a transformation, because our bodies
are ill-suited for heaven.

- he goes on to say that this truth is so important that:

B. Even believers who are alive at Christ's coming will
be changed.

- these verses are an interesting parallel to the
verses in I Thes. 4 because they emphasize the
opposite sides of the spectrum,

- I thes. 4 addresses those who are concerned about
those Christians who have already died.
- Paul says - "they won't be left out - they'll be
resurrected, too"

- these verse are addressing those who are concerned
about those Christians who are alive when Christ
returns."
- Paul says - "They won't be left out either.
This truth is so important that they too will
be changed."

- Paul also tells us:

C. This change is instantaneous

- INPUT - What two ways does Paul emphasize this
idea?

- "in a moment" - literally the word "atomos"
- the smallest conceivable particle, or in
this case, period of time.

- in the twinkling of an eye - the part of our
outward body that can move faster than any other

- this issue is so important to our Lord, that
when He appears, the change will be instantaneous.
- now I'd like to take a couple of diversions--we'll come
back in a minute and finish discussing this point about
how this transformation must take place--and some of the
applications that naturally flow from it.
- but there's a couple of questions that Christians have
about this subject of death/our bodies that fit in
here as naturally as anywhere else.
- I'm thinking of the questions of organ donations and
cremation.

- let's talk about organ donations first.
- I think some believers may be concerned about organ
donations because of some negative effect that might have
on their resurrected body.

- these verses show that that’s not an issue.
- there's going to be a transformation.

- the bottom line is - there's nothing about this doctrine
of the resurrection on any other doctrine that I'm aware
of that would prohibit organ donations.

- the only exception I know of to that would be an
organ donation that would require the person's life
to be taken in order for the donation to be
effective.
- as I understand it--that's true of a heart donation.

- If you have more questions about this, I would
recommend that you read Dr. Ed Payne who has done
extensive writing on the subject of medical ethics
- or talk to one of the physicians here at the
church or your personal physician
- and of course we are always willing to talk to
you about it as well.

- now the other side of what I'm saying is - there's nothing
in the Scripture that would say a person would have to
make an organ donation
- My point here is that there's nothing about the
doctrine of the resurrection that would prohibit it.

- for what its worth - I have decided that if there's
anything from my body that can be useful to someone else
after I've died -- I'm all for it.
- but that’s a personal decision.

- Cremation is a different story.
- all through the Bible, there is always the emphasis on
the right care for the body.
- the body's not well-suited for heaven - but it is to be
cared for here on earth.

- While the Bible doesn't come right out and speak to this
issue, Cremation isn't consistent with the Scriptures
teaching concerning proper care for our bodies.
- now, I surely wouldn't get in a fight with an extended
family member about this issue--but I thought I'd say a
word while we're near this subject.
- If you'd like to do more study, I'd encourage you to get a
book written by John Davis, "Cremation - Is it Christian?"
- Now, let's get back to our verses
- Paul's been saying - the resurrection involves a necessary
transformation

- then, in case we didn't get the point, Paul repeats it
again in verse 53:

D. This must happen

- corruption must put on incorruption
- mortality must put on immortality

- we must factor this into the way we view death
- overall point from these first 4 verses is - our physical
bodies, though they are well-suited for life on earth
- are ill-suited for life in heaven
- and especially because of the curse of sin, because
these bodies are corruptible, and weak

- THEY ABSOLUTELY MUST BE REPLACED - there must be a
transformation

- that transformation can only take place if there is a
death.

- one of the points we need to leave this study of the
resurrection with is this -- All of us would be a lot
better off if we would loosen our grasp on things that are
ill-suited for heaven.

- I've been doing some reading in the popular literature just
to learn what others in both the secular and religious
world are saying about this subject.

- one article that especially interested me said this:
"people with considerable resources may be at most risk
for negative reactions to the loss of a loved one."

- (let me ask you just to think about that for a minute)

- Studies have shown that people who had considerable
resources: (what they meant by that was:)
- solid bank account
- harmonious marriage
- things in their life seemingly under control

- often had more trouble handling thoughts of
their own death or the death of someone close
to them
- they had more trouble handling death than
those who didn't have those kind of resources.

- now let me ask you to think about that - To whatever degree
that's true -- What might that be indicating?

- see, there's nothing wrong with a solid bank account
- a harmonious marriage
- things seemingly under control

- but there's something wrong if I've made idols out of those
things.

- there's something wrong if I've set my affections on
those things (as Paul said to the Colossians)
- there's something wrong if the comforts of life have
gotten in the way of the concerns of heaven.

- see, isn't this true - some believers are clenching on to
the things of earth so tightly that God can't use them.

- It's like the small child that you left alone for just a
minute.
- when you return, you find that somehow he's gotten
a hold of a knife -- and he's playing with it.
- thankfully he's holding it by the handle, but when you
go to take it away
- he's clenching onto it with all his might

- though you know how dangerous that is - and how
harmful it can be
- he's just clenching on and you have to
literally pry his fingers off the knife

- that's the picture that's Paul's painting here

- yes our physical bodies have served us well here on earth
- even though they're tainted by sin--they are an amazing
example of the wonder of God's creation

- but they're ill-suited for heaven

- the picture is of a believer who is facing death--
grasping onto their body

- I won't let go, I won't let go
- and we have all these procedures now to sustain
life a little longer and sustain life a little
longer.
- I think one Christian doctor is right when he said
- We need to ask "Are we prolonging life or are
we prolonging death"

- Overall point is - All of us would be a lot better off if
we would loosen our grasp on things that are ill-suited
for heaven.

- now we can surely develop this point broader than the
subject of death and dying.
- A principle that helps us face death surely will help us
face life.

- see, isn't it true - Some folks are having trouble
growing because they're grasping onto things that are
ill-suited for heaven.

- some of them are downright sinful things:
- I must drink this, watch this, talk this way
- I must wallow in my self-pity
- I must have these kinds of friends

- it would be good for us to go around the circle of life
and ask - "Is this well suited for heaven?"
- Am I grasping onto things that are not pleasing to
the Lord.

- hey, Satan has all kinds of options out there, doesn't
he?
- I heard of a new one this week I had never heard of
before.

- Do you know what a B.B.S. is? (bulletin board service)

(Read mag. article)

- I've mentioned some sinful things - but I think we need to
say
- It's possible to grasp onto some things that may be
good in their place but have become so important to
us that in our situation, they've become bad.

- I think that’s true of our children.
- I was talking to Nancy this week about what its like to
have a one of their sons studying for the ministry and
to have their daughter heading for the mission field.

- she said - if that's God's will for them, then I want
them to do it.

- that's one of the lessons Paul wants us to learn from the
resurrection
- there has to be a transformation
- this body is good in many ways--but we have to die
- this body is ill-suited for heaven

- AND WE OUGHT NEVER TO GRASP ONTO THINGS THAT ARE ILL_SUITED
FOR HEAVEN.

- now the next thing Paul tells us in these verses is that:

II. The Resurrection Brings Triumph

- Read 54-56

- Paul says:
A. Death is swallowed up

- Paul is quoting here from the book of Isaiah and
he's talking about the triumph that our Savior has
had over death.
- this ought to remind us of some of the greatest
verses in Scripture

- John 5:24 - believers are passed from death unto
life
- John 8:51 - "If anyone keeps my Word, he shall
never see death."
- I John 3:14 - "We know that we have been passed out
of death into life."

- Romans 8:38 - "For I am persuaded that neither
death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor
depth, nor any other things, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

- see, the Resurrection brings TRIUMPH

- that's so true that Paul in verse 55 Paul personifies
death, and he speaks directly to it
- Death - where's your victory--where's your sting?

B. It's sting has been taken away

- as soon as Jesus Christ rose from the dead, death
lost it's sting.
- Romans 6:9 - Death hath no more dominion over Him
- and because death has no more dominion over Him,
death has no more dominion over us.

- the sting was sin
- knowing we'd have to pay for our sin
- knowing we'd spend eternity separated from God

- but sin was paid for with the blood of Christ and
death has no more sting.

- think of the most ferocious creature and then imagine what
that animal would be like if it were defanged, or
declawed, and shrunk down to size.

- Kris and I took the girls to a circus this summer.
- We are amazed at the lions and the lion tamer.

- we were in a big stadium in Philadelphia
- sitting in the balcony
- the lions were in huge cages that had fence all around
them
- but they were still awesome

- I wouldn't have gone in that cage for anything in the
world.

- but can you imagine what would have happened if the Lord
miraculously took the sting out of that lion?
- all of a sudden he's shrunk down to about 75 pounds
- and his fangs and his claws are gone

- he goes to let out one of those big roars and a little
peep comes out (try one)
- and then he goes to take a swipe with his claws but
all he's got are these little soft mits.
- and he goes to bear his fangs and they're all gone
(make a toothless face)

- see, all of a sudden--he's not so ferocious.

- Paul says - that's true of death.
- It's lost it's sting.

- because of the death and resurrection of Christ, death
has been declawed, defanged, defeated, and destroyed.
- Paul's point is - there ought to be a difference in the way
Christians face this subject compared to those who don't
know Christ.

- sure we sorrow, sure there's concerns
- but not like those who have no hope

- thats been one of the problems all along with the
Corinthians.--there's no measurable difference between
them and the unbelievers.
- no difference in the way they get along - divisions
all over the place.
- no difference in the way they handle disagreements -
they're running to court just like everybody else.
- no difference in the way they use their bodies
- no difference in the way they treat their spouses.

- Paul has been saying - there ought to be a measurable
difference between you and folks who don't know Christ.
- surely one of the areas that difference ought to be most
pronounced is in the way we handle death.

- the resurrection brings triumph--death has lost it's sting

- lastly, Paul says:

III. The Resurrection Should Lead To Thanksgiving

- read verse 57

- see, this doctrine of the resurrection ought to make us
more thankful people.
- we've got a decision to make.

- when we face this subject, are we going to worry, fret,
get depressed, and all the rest
- or are we going to be thankful

- when we're involved in a memorial service
- when we drive by a funeral home
- when we read the obituaries
- when we're facing sickness

- are we going to focus on our fears and doubts
- or are we going to be thankful for the victory we have
over death because of our Lord Jesus Christ?

- we've talked about a lot of applications from this doctrine
- I'll tell you--this is the first time I've systematically
studied through these verses

- I'm hoping to apply the same ideas I've been suggesting to
you --- that we develop our view of the resurrection
- we tie more ropes to the boat as we said a couple of
weeks ago

- and then we derive the maximum benefit from this
doctrine on a day to day basis that our desires.
- in addition to all the applications we've already
mentioned, verse 57 surely gives us one of the most
important:
- we ought to become more thankful people
- because the doctrine of the resurrection, helps us put
ourselves in the proper place, and put our Lord in the
proper place.

- here's what I mean

- when we reflect on all the planning, power, purpose
involved in the resurrection of believers -- it
helps us put anything we've accomplished as humans
in perspective.

- some of us need that
- some of us can get pretty "full of ourselves"

- some of you work in professions where that could
easily be a temptation.

- I look at those big engines coming out of
Caterpillar -- and think about all that must go
into building something like that and say--that's
impressive!

- some of you work in medical fields and its
absolutely amazing what God under common grace has
allowed man to achieve.
- it's amazing.

- others work with computers and you can enter a list
of figures in that machine and it calculates them
instantly.

- point is - many here tonight work in fields where the human
advancements and developments are impressive.

- but that has a "down-side"
- because if we're not careful, that can result in pride

- It can also result in self-sufficiency
- there are many in our community who are so "full of
themselves" that they think they don't need God
- You may be here tonight and you've lived that way your
whole life

The Lord wants the doctrine of the resurrection to
help you put your own abilities/achievements in the
right perspective
- and then turn to Christ as Lord and Savior

- We're studying the resurrection of believers who have died
- but the Bible also teaches about the resurrection of
unbelievers.

- unbelievers don't just cease to exist
- the Bible doesn't teach annihilationism

- the resurrection of unbelievers will be the exact
opposite of everything we've studied tonight

- instead of everlasting life -- it will be everlasting
death -- complete and absolute separation from God
forever.
- instead of everlasting joy, it will be everlasting
torment.
- instead of enjoying an eternal relationship with God
because our sins have been paid for and forgiven,
unbelievers will face an eternity of judgement
because they must pay the price of sin themselves.

- see, this doctrine ought to shake people out of self-
sufficiency

- this doctrine can help believers in this area, too.
- some folks who call themselves believers are pretty full of
themselves.
- and there's no time for God
- no time for His Word
- no time for His church
- no time for His people
- always dashing off to build this monument or that
one

- after studying this doctrine, the Lord would want us to
list our greatest of accomplishments and then write over
them:
"You ain't seen nothing, yet."

- Studying the resurrection helps put us in our place.